Novi Sad, July 14 (fivb.ch) - After the first match in Belgrade, Yugoslav team started very concentrated, although the Japanese did very good in defense, trying to find all unguarded spots on the Yugoslav side, but Miljkovic's attacks were too hard to defend and the balls too fast to be caught.
Definitely back in form, Yugoslav team lead throughout the second set, sure of themselves and in full coordination. Japanese team tried very hard to defend themselves against an obviously stronger Team. Gajic even introduced two young players at the end of the 2nd set.
Only several minutes of lowered attention and the result in the third set was on the side of the Japanese team. A festival of mistakes in the third set, especially in service, as the Japanese team wished so hard to make it up, and in the first half they moved together point by point, equally making mistakes until the Yugoslav team consolidated to win. Only in several cases the Japanese did show the defense one would expect from them.
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Yugoslavia - Japan 3-0
Belgrade, July 13 (fivb.ch) - The Olympic champions Yugoslavia charged into their match with Japan with dogged determination, determined to regain ground in this all-important Intercontinental Round 3 of the 2002 World League. In spite of frequent service errors, they still made short work of the match, closing out Japan in straight sets in just 64 minutes. It took them a mere 19 minutes and little effort to capture the first set 25-13.
They continued to waltz through the second set, then the Japanese coach switched tactics to a more offensive game, resulting in some great points, well supported by the crowd.
Yugoslavia went onto the court well relaxed with a 2-0 lead, but the Japanese were up 8-5 at the first technical time-out. They held their ground but were no match for the block and spike combination of Miljkovic and Boskan that put the match firmly back in Yugoslav hands.
